Plato’S Idea Of Civic Justice Displays A Criteria For...

Plato’s idea of civic justice displays a criteria for specialization that holds each individual responsible for producing their own rendition of excellence that leads to a just life, which produces a just city, and ultimately civic justice. Plato describes civic justice as â€Å"†¦doing one’s own work provided that it comes to be in a certain way† (433b-pg.108). The idea for a just city was constructed in the book, Plato Republic, and in that blueprint, the ultimate goal was to have a just city, it should also be noted that before Plato there were numerous theories of Justice. The other theories were proposed by Cephalus, Polymarchus, Trasymachus and Glaucon all of which Plato did not agree with and all three had one common element. The element†¦show more content†¦Correspondent to the three elements of human nature are three classes in the social organism, Guardians which are the rulers or philosopher class or the ruling class which represented reasoning; the auxiliaries, a class of warriors which guard the city is representative of the spirit; Producers are farmers, artisans which are basically the lower run of the ladder. The other side of the coin is the idea of being unjust, Plato describes this as, â€Å"meddling and exchange between these classes, there is the greatest harm†¦and the worst thing one could do to the city is cause injustice† (434c-pg109). The meddling and exchange between classes refers to the idea of not having specialization, consequently this type of behavior is expressed as harmful, because it leaves room for individuals to produce mediocre abilities. The idea that jobs were chosen according to one’s own abilities and temperament gives an individual the tools to become the best they possibly can be. If the people were allowed to choose their own jobs, they might discover down the line that it was a mistake allowing room for these types of mistakes could cause the city to no longer be considered just, because not all of the parts would be working toward the common goal. There would be a segment of the population that would have to find other means for employment which would better suit them; this would be a very tedious and long process. For